Rubiaceae

Subfamily Cinchonoideae
Tribe Cinchoneae

• Manettia bicolor

Subfamily Cinchonoideae
Tribe Exostemma group

• Exostema longiflorum W/C

Subfamily Cinchonoideae
Tribe Mussaendeae

• Mussaenda philippica `Queen Sirikit'

Subfamily Cinchonoideae
Tribe Naucleeae

• Nauclea orientalis
• Neolamarckia cadamba

Subfamily Cinchonoideae
Tribe Rondeletieae

• Rondeletia leucophylla

Subfamily Ixoroideae
Tribe Coffeeae

• Coffea arabica

Subfamily Ixoroideae
Tribe Gardenieae

• Burchellia bubalina
• Gardenia jasminoides
• Mitriostigma axillare

Subfamily Ixoroideae
Tribe Ixoreae

• Ixora unidentified

Subfamily Rubioideae
Tribe Coussareeae

• Coccocypselum cordifolium
• Coccocypselum hirsutum

Subfamily Rubioideae
Tribe Hedyotideae

• Pentas lanceolata

Subfamily Rubioideae
Tribe Psychotrieae

• Hydnophytum formicarum
• Myrmecodia platyrea
• Myrmecodia sp.
• Myrmecodia tuberosa
• Palicourea unidentified
• Psychotria cf. kirkii
• Psychotria ipecacuanha

• Query IPNI
• Common Name:
• Family: Rubiaceae Juss.

• Country of Origin: New Guinea
• Habitat: rainforest epiphyte

• Description: Plants form a symbiotic relationship with ants and fungi. Ant plants provide habitats for ant colonies high up into the forest canopy, protecting them from the elements and also predators because of the spines. Hollow, smooth-walled tunnels form within the caudex with external entrance holes, providing an above-ground home for ant colonies. Ants likewise provide defense for the plant and prevent tissue damage. Ant colonies also provide nutrients to the plants by leaving wastes within the tunnels inside the caudex. Special glands lining the tunnels then absorb nutriment for the plant. This symbiosis allows the plants to effectively gather nutrients (via the ants) from a much larger area than the roots ever could cover.²